Four New England leaf-peeping deals you won’t want to miss

by Tom Johansmeyer on

Fall is right around the corner, and in New England, this means the leaves are getting ready to change. If you’re planning to be part of the influx of leaf-peepers to the northeast corner of the United States, New England Inns & Resorts has put together some great deals to help you make the most of your experience – without draining your pockets.

Whether this is your first trip to New England for this annual ritual or you’re already there and just want to get away for the weekend, there are some absolute bargains on the market right now. In addition to fantastic room rates, you can take advantage of discounts at plenty of local attractions.

After the jump, check out four great packages that will give you some good reasons to go to New England this fall.

1. Wander the corn maze
At Nordic Village Resort in Jackson, New Hampshire, you can get two weekend nights and two adult passes to the Maze at Sherman’s Farm (I went a few years ago and got horribly lost) for $220 a night. You’ll also get a coupon for $10 off at Yesterday’s restaurant.

2. Attend a scarecrow wedding
At the Nonantum Resort in Kennebunkport, Maine, you can spend two nights in a water view room at the Carriage House Inn and pick up a $25 dining credit (per person) at 95 Ocean, the resort’s restaurant. For $359 a night mid-week ($519 a night on weekends), you’ll also receive bike rentals, one-day tickets for the InTown Trolley and breakfast every day. The most interesting perk, however, is the build your own scarecrow kit. All scarecrows constructed will be present at the “scarecrow wedding” at Nonantum Resort on October 11, 2009, the kickoff for Kennebunkport’s Gathering of the Scarecrows Festival.

3. Soak in waterfalls, lakes and covered bridges
At Centennial Inn in Farmington, Connecticut, the “Get Up and GO for Fall” package includes a night in a Studio Suite and a map of the most interesting local attractions. Use the complementary $10 gas card to fuel the travels guided by that map, and be sure to check out the cider mill, gourmet cheese shop and vineyard. The first night starts at $165, and you can get another for only $99.

4. Do you need a reason to go to Newport?
Well, if you do, the “Tranquil Autumn Getaway” package offered by Castle Hill Inn & Resort has one. In addition to two tickets to tour one of Newport’s Historic Preservation Society’s mansions, you’ll receive a romantic three-course dinner, afternoon tea every day and breakfast each morning. The package starts at $1,520 in September and $1,112 in October – a bit pricey … but c’mon, it’s Newport.

In New England this summer: girls, girls girls!

by Tom Johansmeyer on

Looking for some all-girl entertainment this summer (not that kind)? New England has a lot for the ladies, so you can ditch the menfolk and go have a blast up north. New England Inns and Resorts has found a few deals below, and this is just the beginning of the girlfriend getaway packages available right now.

Girls Getaway Spa Package (John Carver Inn & Spa, Plymouth, MA): Pick up two nights and a $50 meal voucher to the Hearth n’ Kettle Restaurant & Tavern, two Spa Radiance Facials, two Beach Plum Foot Rituals and two massages (all at the luxurious Beach Plum Spa) – all in for $1,058.

The Art of Friendship Package (Inn at Harbor Hill Marina, Niantic, CT): For $605 to $870, you’ll get two nights, breakfast for two each morning, one private two-hour art class for two at the Art n’ Image Gallery & Studio (very cool, I think), two matted 11′ x 14′ scenic prints of Niantic Village and dinner for two at La Belle Aurore American Bistro. Sundays and Mondays aren’t available – as is the month of August. But, you can make arrangements for groups of up to 10.

Dharma Days (The Porches Inn, North Adams, MA): This package is for yoga-lovers who want to get away while getting “OM.” For $240, you’ll get a room for a night, breakfast the next morning and two yoga classes a day at Frog Lotus Yoga Studio (varying levels of yoga available). You can take advantage of this through November 12, 2009.

Plan a golf getaway in New England this summer

by Tom Johansmeyer on

When summer hits, it’s time to go north to play golf. After all, who wants to get drenched while pushing through 18 holes on a hot Florida day? Instead, put New England on your itinerary. There are plenty of golf packages being offered in conjunction with the inns and resorts in these six small states. And, where else will you find some courses with unlimited rounds, free carts and unrestricted tee times?

The New England Inns and Resorts Association, which consists of nearly 300 properties in the region, has pulled together some of the best packages in the area. Here’s a taste.

At Cranwell Resort, Golf & Spa, in Lenox, Massachusetts, your stay comes with a country breakfast, a bucket of balls per golfer for the range and an unlimited day of golf. You can also use the spa after you drop your bag in your room. At $215 to $250 per person, this is an absolute steal!

Glynn House Inn, in Ashland, New Hampshire (a great town, which I remember well), a three-night stay will get you a free day of golf for two and a cart. At $159 a night for two people (including breakfast and daily refreshments), the savings tops $130.

In Kennebunkport, Maine, you can take advantage of the Kennebunkport Inn‘s “Golfer’s Getaway.” Spend two nights there, and you’ll pick up an unrestricted tee time for Old Marsh or Webhannet, a four-course dinner for two and a special in-room golf amenity. Breakfast is included too. The package starts at $519.

The “Fore” Getaway Package at Groton Inn & Suites in Groton, Connecticut includes accommodations for four people (either two traditional rooms or a two-bedroom apartment) with breakfast. You’ll also get 18 holes of golf Pequot Golf Course in Stonington (with carts). Rates start at $360 for four people, includes taxes and gratuities.

Bet on a bargain at Mohegan Sun

by Tom Johansmeyer on

When even the loosest of slots can’t get you up to Connecticut, Mohegan Sun is ready to up the ante. Its “Bets & Bites” deal is designed to lure you and that big jar full of change on your bedroom floor to the casino … of course so you can win big.

For $129 a person (for two people), you’ll get a one-night stay at the casino’s hotel. When you’ve drained your cash at the tables, use a reservation at Todd English‘s Tuscany, Bamboo Forest or any of the other reservations on the property – made a bit easier by the $100 meal credit which will be applied to your room. The chef will even stop by to see how you’re doing.

After you bring your signed copy of Under the Sun: A Celebration of Cuisine & Culture, Mohegan Sun’s cookbook, back to your room, head back downstairs for one last bet. Mohegan includes a $10 play as part of the package. When you book this getaway, mention code PTFBV to take advantage of the deal.

And, there are more. See a full list after the jump, including some great ideas for Valentine’s Day!Here are a few more for you to consider!

Rest and Relax – Zen (starting at $219 per person for two people)

  • A one-night stay in Mohegan Sun’s luxurious hotel
  • Your choice of two 50-minute massages or one 50-minute couples massage at The Elemis Spa at Mohegan Sun
  • Whole fruit delivered to your room
  • An Elemis Spa gift bag
  • A bonsai tree to take home

Mention code PTSPA when booking.

A Pregnant Pause (starting at $189 per person for two people)

  • A one-night stay at Mohegan Sun’s luxurious hotel
  • A 50-minute massage for the mother-to-be at The Elemis Spa at Mohegan Sun
  • A gift for mom and baby including Elemis Spa milk bath products
  • A credit for Ben & Jerry’s Ice Cream, located in The Shops at Mohegan Sun

Mention code PTBAB when booking.

“In Like” Package (starting at $109 per person for two people)

  • A one-night stay at Mohegan Sun’s luxurious hotel
  • A half-dozen chocolate covered strawberries and bottle of champagne delivered to your room
  • One complimentary in-room movie

Mention code PTRML when booking.

“In Love” Package (starting at $219 per person for two people)

  • A one-night stay at Mohegan Sun’s luxurious hotel
  • VIP Hotel Check-In at Aquai
  • A dozen chocolate covered strawberries delivered to your room
  • Two complimentary martinis at Leffingwells Martini Bar
  • A couples massage at The Elemis Spa at Mohegan Sun
  • One complimentary in-room movie

Mention code PTRMH when booking.

No Boys Allowed (starting at $239 per person for two people)

  • A one-night stay at Mohegan Sun’s luxurious hotel
  • VIP Hotel Check-In at Aqaui
  • A martini mixing station delivered to your room
  • Two martini-themed manicures and pedicures at The Elemis Spa at Mohegan Sun
  • Two complimentary martinis at Leffingwells Martini Bar
  • Two complimentary breakfast buffets at Seasons Buffet
  • One $10 free bet per person

Mention code PTGRL when booking.

You Could Use Some Sun (starting at $99 per person for two people)

  • A one-night stay at Mohegan Sun’s luxurious hotel
  • A $25.00 food and beverage credit applied to your room
  • One $10.00 free bet per person

Mention code PTSD when booking.

Lawsuit leaves airline feeling blue

by Tom Johansmeyer on

Bill Baker was mad. This crotchety blogger was so pissed at JetBlue that he took the airline to small claims court. On January 16, 2009, victory was sweet, to the tune of $494. The money, he says, will be donated to charity.

Clearly, one lone nut blogger can make a difference.

JetBlue delayed Baker’s red-eye flight from Portland, OR to New York for five hours, before announcing the cancellation of the flight. The passengers were offered flights out three days later. Meals, accommodations and earlier flights were not offered. So, Baker took JetBlue to Connecticut small claims court. He asked for damages of $722.50 (per his blog, $687.50 per the court record). The airline apparently took the lawsuit seriously, actually sending a representative to the hearing. This was not enough, however, to sway the events to JetBlue’s favor.

The airline has developed something of a reputation for canceling flights and pushing passengers days into the future. When I went to the Ritz-Carlton Golf Resort, JetBlue canceled my flight and simply said that I wouldn’t be able to get into JFK for another two days. I pushed, asking about the many other airports in the New York area – small spots, like LaGuardia and Newark. Finally, I got them to put me on a flight for the next day. Like Baker, JetBlue offered nothing to make my trip easier.

I just sent a letter to JetBlue, which garnered a very weak response from the airline. Baker aimed high, and it worked.Litigation was not his first choice. In fact, he offered to let JetBlue donate the $722.50 for which he was suing to the ASPCA or the Humane Society of America. The airline did not respond to his offer. They did offer some vouchers as compensation, which he refused to use. But, the judge seemed to consider them in his final award, as they account for the difference between the damages requested and those rewarded.

I guess the moral of this story is that airlines should realize that even the smallest complaint can snowball. I found out about Bill Baker’s story on his blog, which was linked to his Twitter account, went to his blog and was entranced. That’s all it takes, sometimes, for one company’s bad news to gain a hell of a lot of attention. One person cruising a series of links at the right time can turn a small story into a big one.

For travelers, the message is that we need to continue to talk to each other. Start your own blogs. Use sites like Twitter. As we saw earlier this week, with the use of the Hudson River as a runway, citizen journalism has become a powerful force. Let everyone know about the best and worst you see on the road. We’re all in this together. Also, the airlines and hotels are starting to pay attention. One tough tweet will be noticed.

And, Baker leaves us with his battle cry, “Ask not how airlines can screw you; Ask how you can screw the airlines back!”

Read about Bill Baker’s lawsuit against JetBlue >>

View the official results of the Connecticut Small Claims Court >>

Learn about blogging, microblogging and travel >>

Read about a suit against Easyjet in Europe >>

Start your own airline lawsuit >>

[Thanks, Bill]